5

J A D E

As soon as Markov left, the maid announced I needed to take my bath while she handed me fresh towels.

She proceeded to follow me into the bathroom to my greatest surprise. I stared at her through the mirror and she stared right back, still standing.

“Uhm…” I started, clearing my throat. “Are you going to stay here while I bathe or something because that is not happening and I doubt your Alpha will want his guest bathed by a stranger while he is not around, let alone, a female stranger.”

She let out a chuckle and shook her head, a smile gracing her beautiful features. She was truly beautiful, in every sense of the word.

Her hair was blonde and wavy, stopping at the middle of her back. She had a pale complexion, with her lips plump and pink. Her eyes were a blue ocean with her cheekbones high. She had a perfect body that could match her face and she was tall.

I could only imagine her to be in her late thirties or early forties.

She laughed and it was like music to my ears. It was sweet, gentle and melodious. It made me smile without knowing it.

She walked out and closed the door behind her, telling me she was available if I needed her help.

I didn’t know this lady, but I was surely warming up to her.

I proceeded to take a hot bath, cleaning myself and getting rid of the smell and dirt that clung to me.

After the bath, I stepped out, drying myself with the towel and walking up to the sink. I brushed my teeth, flossed and gargled.

I was wearing my bathrobe, while I went through the drawers and cabinets, in search of a hair dryer. When I didn’t find any, I proceeded to walk out of the bathroom.

As soon as I stepped out, I was greeted by the lady, holding a blow dryer. I smiled and thanked her.

She helped me dry my hair and after, I combed through the strands.

It wasn’t long until the lady announced she was there to assist me with picking a dress.

I didn't know whether to decline her help or not. But it wouldn’t be proper of me to decline, especially if the owner of the house was the one who told her.

She pulled out different clothes and held them out in front of me, while I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself.

There was a black strapless, which had a cut that went down the thighs and a black skirt that came with it. Then, there was a blue gown, with the straps resting on the shoulders and it stopped at the knee.

There was a yellow dress that was also strapless, which stopped above the knees. I tried each and was finally stuck between the black dress and the blue gown.

After a few seconds of looking at the mirror, trying to decide which to go with, I opted for the blue dress.

I took off the bathrobe and she helped me step into the dress.

After the dress was on, I stood in front of the mirror once more, admiring my reflection.

The dress fit perfectly.

“Alpha would be delighted to see you in this during dinner. I bet he wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off you.” She commented and I smiled, turning to face her.

Her words caught me off guard, and I was unable to utter a reply. I simply smiled and she nodded her head, telling me she would be back shortly.

All of this felt all too new to me. One minute I was fighting for my life in my old pack, and the next minute, I’m in the arms of my mate, and being treated like a princess.

It felt like a dream and I didn’t want to wake up from it.

What if all of this wasn’t real? There was a nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach that told me something was wrong somewhere, but I couldn’t pinpoint it. What exactly could be wrong?

My wolf was silent for some reason. It wasn't making its usual commentaries and I didn't know why. I knew I was still happy and I couldn't understand why my wolf would choose to remain silent.

And now that I can remember, she hasn’t said a word since we arrived at the pack. Or should I say since we found our mate? What has she seen that I didn’t see? What has rendered her mute?

I didn’t like this. It wasn't like her to keep her mouth shut, especially when it comes to matters concerning her mate.

I wanted to talk to her. To hear her voice. To know if she’s happy that we finally found our soulmate. But, the silence remained and I could only sigh, shaking my head.

Just then, there was a knock at the door and I could hear the muffled voice of the maid, asking me if she could come in.

I didn't hesitate, and immediately responded. She walked in with a small box, and smiled at me.

I didn't have to see her smile to know. Her aura was cheerful and her eyes sparkled.

She held out the box in front of me, and waited for me to accept it. I slowly opened the box and gasped.

Inside, was the most beautiful silver necklace with a pendant that resembled a howling wolf, encrusted with diamonds.

There was a letter below the necklace and I removed the necklace, placing it on the table before grabbing the letter.

_**Dear Jade,** _

_**You look beautiful in anything you put on. This necklace would look even more beautiful on you. I hope you love it. I wish I could be the one to place it on you, but my duties called. I will see you at dinner, sweetheart.** _

_**With love, Markov.** _

I bit my lips, a blush creeping its way onto my cheeks as I read the words, over and over again.

He wrote a letter for me.

He bought me a necklace!

I'm not dreaming, am I?

My heart beat picked up and I felt like a teenage girl.

The thought of him thinking about me made me feel special. The fact that he sent a letter, to accompany the gift, was just too much.

“You like it, my Luna?” The maid asked and I nodded. Luna. So, I was a Luna now? I knew my mate and I weren’t married just yet, but still, the fact that they referred to me as such, was enough to make me giddy inside.

"What is your name?" I asked her, tired of referring to her as a maid.

"Eliza, Luna."

"Can you put it on for me, please?" I asked her politely in which she obliged.

After a few moments, Eliza stepped back and I faced the mirror once more.

The necklace looked perfect. I smiled, running my fingers across the pendant, before thanking Eliza.

“Shall I show you around the pack now, my Luna?” Eliza asked and I nodded.

I watched as she walked up to the bed and grabbed the white slippers and handed it to me.

After, we both left the room, and began our tour.

Markov was a rich man. Very rich. The pack was massive, and I was astonished at how he managed to have this kind of life.

The houses were all well built and the entire place looked like a village. The land was beautiful and was well decorated.

We passed a lot of wolves along the way. They were all welcoming and would greet me. I smiled, responding back to each and everyone.

There was a group of pups, playing together and it warmed my heart.

I had always wanted a pup. A male pup. If Markov and I had a male pup, I would be very happy.

I immediately shook the thought from my head. 

Wasn’t it too soon to start thinking about pups, Jade? I chastised myself. I needed to get to know him first. 

We continued our walk and reached a building. From the looks of it, it was an art and culture center.

It was massive and had the most beautiful architectural design.

It had a beautiful fountain outside and the grass was well trimmed. The flowers and leaves were well groomed and there was a sculpture that stood in the middle of the fountain.

But, what caught my attention wasn’t just the sculpture. But, what it entailed.

My breath got caught in my throat as I stared at the face of the sculpted beast. The same one that I had encountered in the woods. 

A cold chill ran through my spine just from looking at it. Flashbacks came rushing through and the scene played in front of me.

My breathing became ragged and my heart pounded against my chest.

The vivid images of the monster chasing me and the screams from that day kept replaying in my mind.

I could smell the burning wood and leaves, as it attacked. I could hear the howls and the screams.

I could feel the fear.

I could feel the pain.

I could taste the blood.

I could feel my heart stopping and everything going black.

The pain.

The agony.

The smell of death.

All the memories came rushing in.

I could no longer breathe and I didn't know if I was still standing or not.

I could feel my legs shaking, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.

“Luna, are you okay?” Eliza asked, snapping me back to reality.

I raised my index finger shakily and pointed it at the sculpture, turning to Eliza. “W-why is t-this h-here?”

Eliza’s expression changed as she cleared her throat. “The Alpha has returned from his meeting and he’s awaiting your presence at the dining room.” She said, completely ignoring my question.

I wanted to protest.

I wanted to know why the beast was there.

Why was it in the pack?

Who the fuck made it?

Where did it come from?

How the hell did the person know what it looked like, managed to come back alive and even sculpted an image of it?

The questions kept piling up, one after the other, and it was making me dizzy.

Eliza had a stoic expression, as she waited for my response. I stared at her, contemplating whether or not to question her.

When it was clear that she wasn’t going to answer my question, I decided to drop it and go along with her.

I needed to get to the root of this. And fast.